Traction device for automobiles



Nov. 11, 1925. 1,561,806

E. B. THOMAS TRACTION DEVICE FOR AUTOIOBILES Filed Dec. 19, 1923 Patented Nov. 1.7, 1925.

unrren 'E r" ori ices.

EDWARD B; THOMAS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO;- ASSIGNOIRJOE ONE EO'URTI-I' T0 'EDW'ARD DISHER AND 0NE-FOURTH TO SYDNEY "W.

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" rnAo'rroN DEVICE; FGIU AUr'oMoBlLEsr Application filed necem-ber ie, 1923. Serial No. 581,477.

To ail'whom it mayo-001067 12:

Be it known that I, EDWARD B. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Mount -Washington, Cincinnati, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful 11nprovements in Traction Devices for Auto mobiles, of which the following is a full,

clear, and exact description, reference being is enabled to get out of a rut, mud-hole or other situation, where the natural surface does not provide the required traction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned of such construction thatthe same may be compactly folded or rolled for convenient carriage when not in use.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description thereof.

In the drawingsz Figure 1 is an edge elevation of my new traction device;

lligure 2 is a plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the operation of the device;

Figure 4 is a side view illustrating the use and operation of the device.

The numeral 1 indicates a pad, the casing of which is preferably constructed of canvas or similar fabric. One end of the pad 1 is provided with a loop 2 within which a metal tube 3 is secured. The other end of the pad 1 is tapered as shown at 4. in Figure 2. V

The numeral 5 indicates a pad, the same being constructed preferably of a number of laminations of canvas or other suitable material. One end of the pad 5 is provided with a loop 6 within which a metal tube 7 is secured. The pad 5 flares outwardly away from the loop 6 as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. A rope or cable 8 of suitable dimension to be threaded through the tubes 3 and 7 is provided forthe purpose of connecting the pads 1 and 5 when in use.

In Figures 3 and l the operation of the device is illustratedi When the natural surfacef) is of, suchainature that insufficient traction is provided forthe rear. wheel 10 of, vehicleto enable it to move'the vehicle forward,-,theapad. 1 isplaced with the end a as far ,und'er the wheel as possible without jackingthe wheel up.. The pad 5 is then plaeedin front. of the front wheel 11 of the vehicle, and the two pads areconnectcd by threading-the rope-8 through the tubes 3 and land: tying the ends as shown at 12. The vehicle is then started to move forward The rear wheels are thus rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4:. This movement of the wheel 10 will tend both to carry the vehicle forward and also to draw the pad 1 under the wheel; the latter tendency, were the movement of the pad unrestrained, would in many cases cause the pad to be moved backwardly from under the wheel without accomplishing any beneficial result in moving the vehicle itself.

This action is however prevented by the holding action of the front wheel 11 on the pad 5, which obviates the possibility of the pad 1 being drawn too far backwardly. The flaring of the pad 5 will permit the turning of the front wheel without releasing the pad. The metal tubes prevent buckling of the pads lengthwise.

It will be noted therefore that in the above construction a traction device has been provided in which the efliciency of the pad 1 is assured by reason of a holding pad secured by the front wheel of the vehicleitself. The rope or cable is, of course, of such a length that the device may be adapted to cars of different wheel bases and also to the various conditions of surface which may arise. It will further be noted that when not in use, the device may. be com pactly rolled or folded, the pads and connecting rope bein of course, entirely flexible, and thus the c evice may be conveniently stored in the vehicle at all times for use in cases of emergency.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z- 1. A traction device comprising a traction to the rear wheel of a vehicle so as to afford traction therefor, a member arranged to be secured by the front wheel of said vehicle, and means variable in length for securing said members together when in position.

2. A traction device comprising a flexible pad adapted to be placed in relation to the rear wheel of a vehicle so as to afford traction therefor, a flexible pad arranged to be secured by the front wheel of said vehicle, and means variable in length for securing said pads together when in position.

3. A traction device comprising a flexible pad adapted to be placed in relation to the rear wheel of a vehicle so as to afford traction therefor, a flexible pad arranged to be secured by the front wheel of said vehicle, and means Variable in length for securing said pads together when in position.

4. A traction device comprising a flexible pad adapted to be placed in relation to the rear wheel of a vehicle so as to afiord traction therefor, a flexible pad arranged to be secured by the front wheel of said vehicle,

means variable in length for securing said pads together when in position, and means for preventing said pads from longitudinal buckling.

5. A traction device comprising a flexible pad adapted to be placed in relation to the rear wheel of a vehicle so as to afford traction therefor, a flexible pad arranged to be secured by the front wheel of said vehicle, means variable in length for securing said pads together when in position, and means for preventing said pads from longitudinal buckling.

6. A traction device comprising a pair of pads, a metal tube secured in one end of each pad, and means adapted to be threaded through said tubes to secure the pads together in corresponding relation to the travel of the rear and front wheels respectively of a motor vehicle.

EDlVARD l5. THOMAS. 

